A Delta Air Lines fight from Atlanta to Washington on Friday had to turn back when a compressor in one of the engines stalled, a spokesman said.

Spokesman Paul Skrbec said flight 878 turned around shortly after leaving Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport around 11:20 a.m.

"They returned to Atlanta out of an abundance of caution," Skrbec said.

The passengers boarded another aircraft and Delta 878 arrived at Washington-Reagan National Airport at 4:20 p.m.; it had been scheduled to land at 1:11 p.m.

Skrbec said maintenance crews were servicing the plane.